PENAMPANG: Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS) is establishing its very own academic centre focusing on politics and matters important to the state.
Named after party founder Tan Sri Joseph Pairin Kitingan, the Pairin Centre for Multicultural Studies will also be focusing on providing skills training.
PBS president Datuk Seri Dr Maximus Ongkili said the centre would be tasked to conduct research and training in multicultural politics, federal-state relations, state and constitutional rights, and Malaysia Agreement 1963.
Training also includes leadership principles and practise, economic planning, local government, development management and media studies.
"The two-year course will be accredited towards the award of a Diploma to be taught by a licenced academic institution," he said at the party supreme council meeting here, yesterday.
Touching on Barisan Nasional (BN) victory in the Kimanis by-election, Ongkili congratulated senior leaders and members for their hardwork for making PBS presence felt and securing a win for the BN candidate Datuk Mohamad Alamin.
He said such efforts should be emulated and practiced when the party face its own battle in the future, while urging all Supreme Council members and divisional chiefs to strengthen their respective bases to prepare for the 15th general election (GE15).
"It was indeed a solid win for Datuk Mohamad Alamin, and PBS played a vital role in ensuring the victory. Having said that, PBS needs to continue the fighting spirit through conduct of divisional annual general meetings (AGM) over the next four months.
"This include strengthening our divisions and recruit new members, especially youths, as we prepare for the GE15," he said.
Based on Kimanis by-election, Ongkili said the sentiments at the grassroots level included change of governments, given frustrations and disappointments over broken election promises and legalisation of illegals through the introduction of the Sabah Temporary Pass (PSS).
"We must persist in rejecting the PSS because it threatens the security and livelihood of Sabahans. We want illegal immigrants to be deported immediately in accordance to our immigration laws." he stressed.